BFET Case Manager (WSS4): Yakima WorkSource/Project
Yakima County, WA, USA
Description
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This is a project position that is expected to last through September 30, 2027; however, we anticipate yearly renewal of funding.
This position is Occasional Dual Language (OCDL). The incumbent will have the ability to occasionally communicate effectively in person, via telephone and in writing in Spanish.
The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.
The ideal candidate will be open and respond well to change, with the ability to demonstrate empathy and adapt to approaches in problem solving while being respectful of cultural differences with clients and partners. They are highly organized, a strategic thinker, and skilled at remaining calm under pressure.
The Employment Security Department is hiring a full-time, project-based Employment Development Specialist to join the team at the Yakima WorkSource office where you’ll have the opportunity to meet with members of your community and assist them in removing barriers, finding gainful employment, and connecting them to valuable resources.
Workforce Services Division (WSD) is made up of three Lines of Business: WorkSource, Central Operations System Support, and Washington Service Corps (WSC). WSD administers the Labor Exchange (LEX), Migrant Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW), Veterans Services, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), and WorkFirst and RESEA programs for job seekers and employers in Washington and provides job seekers with referrals to partners providing Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) adult, youth, and dislocated worker training and support services.
Duties
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Whether in the Resource Room helping customers, facilitating orientations and career services workshops, or meeting one on one with a job seeker to assess customers work readiness and employability, it is our Employment Development Specialists' goal to engage our job seekers by offering access to the full array of services available through the WorkSource system. As a BFET Case Manager, you will provide training and education with the goal of assisting Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) clients in attaining gainful employment and self-sufficiency. In this role, you will regularly meet with customers to determine which service best fits their needs and determine where they are in their employment search. Because you will interact with people needing varying levels of support, listening to understand, empathizing, and the ability to be adaptable with how you communicate are crucial skills in fostering trusting relationships with customers who may have barriers or facing difficult situations. This role is located in Yakima, Washington and offers a hybrid schedule of 1 day a week of remote work with the remaining days of the week reporting to the Yakima WorkSource office.
Some of what you will do:
- Develops individualized service strategies based on needs assessment and assist customers in establishing self-sufficiency goals and developing and managing service plans to attain those goals.
- Conduct individual interviews to articulate program services and activities; identify components such as individualized and training services, applicable to customer need.
- Manage caseload; provide case management; facilitate appropriate support services and/or make referrals; identify and evaluate barriers and explore solutions to assist in removing barriers; assist in obtaining needed documentation.
- Determine eligibility and/or appropriateness for program; enroll and explain program participation requirements; develop employment and training contracts and agreements based on applicable regulations, customer eligibility and assessment.
- Develop individual employment plans; guide customers to effectively use in employment and training programs and services.
- Conduct staff assisted job development, job matches and job follow-up; make job referrals; verify customer job search.
- Provide outreach and follow up services to customers.
- Provide coaching and mentoring to instruct and guide customers that have employment barriers.
To request a detailed position description, click here. Qualifications
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Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:
Option 1:
- One year as a WorkSource Specialist 3 or equivalent class within the Employment Security Department, or another state’s Employment Security agency AND
- Able to occasionally communicate effectively in person, via telephone and writing in Spanish
Option 2:
- Three years of professional experience in workforce development, social or human resource services, public relations, or professional public contact work AND
- Able to occasionally communicate effectively in person, via telephone and writing in Spanish
Option 3:
- A combination of education and/or relevant experience that totals three years AND
- Able to occasionally communicate effectively in person, via telephone and writing in Spanish
Required experience includes:
- Client-Centered Service Delivery: Needs assessment to evaluate client situations, goal setting to establish realistic objectives, case management to develop and oversee service plans, problem-solving to address barriers, and communication skills to guide and support clients effectively.
- Eligibility Assessment Expertise: Ability to evaluate and determine client qualifications.
- Employability Plan Development Expertise: Ability to structure personalized career growth strategies.
- Career Coaching and Follow-Up Expertise: Ability to provide ongoing workforce guidance.
Required equity competencies:
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.
Please submit ONLY the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.
Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.
Supplemental Information
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Why work with us?
Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.
Opportunity for All
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Lydia White or at 360-819-6996 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.
This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.
